Endothelial keratoplasty is a cornea-sparing transplant technique that replaces only the diseased endothelial cell layer of the patient's cornea. This technique offers many advantages compared with traditional full-thickness cornea transplants. Patients experience minimal change in glasses prescription and usually recover useful vision within weeks. Visual fluctuations are minimal during the healing process. The patient's cornea remains structurally intact and is more resistant to injury.

Endothelial keratoplasty is undergoing rapid and widespread adoption. Between 2005 and 2007, the number of corneas placed by US eye banks for endothelial keratoplasty increased ten-fold (2007 Eye Bank Association of America Annual Report). However, the procedure is less than 10 years old, and little is known about long term outcomes. Endothelial keratoplasty candidates at our center are invited to participate in an open enrollment, prospective study of the long-term outcomes of this procedure.

Endothelial keratoplasty is surgical replacement of the corneal endothelial cell layer (the cell layer lining the inner surface of the cornea).

Other Names:

Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty

Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty

Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty

DSEK

DSAEK

DMEK

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Male or female aged 18 or older

Scheduled to undergo endothelial keratoplasty

Able to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

Age less than 18 years

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00800111